3 Tips for Sump Pump Inspections.
Several homeowners who have crawl spaces or basements that endure water penetration should install sump pumps. They're not inexpensive, but they're less expensive than the water damage that can result from an overflowed basement.
What should a home inspector look would when inspecting homes with sump pumps?
Check the Connection
It allows you to see where is the water being released? Some sump pumps are associated with the home's foundation. The Albany, NY home inspector says this is a bad idea. These drains are more prone to choke with age, and if this occurs, the water just backs up and damages an alternate spot. There are sump pumps that are connected with municipal sewers, yet this is illicit in certain zones. Check your local laws. An unexpected addition to the municipal sewer can cause over-burden, which may result in sewage discharge. Our expert home inspectors say that homeowners should connect the sump pump with a swear drain which can handle the water easily and have the ability to discharge it.
The state of the pit
Sump pumps are installed in pits at the lowest part of the structure so that water can be directed towards the pit. Pits in crawl spaces particularly are vulnerable to dirt infiltration. This is more uncommon in basements since the floors are normally made of concrete. Sump pumps should be installed in a basin or in a gravel pit that helps in filtering out the dirt from the water.
Is it Working
Get into the pit and lift the float valve to check whether the pump kicks on and starts pumping water out of the lower part of the pit. If it doesn't, it needs repair. Some sump pumps are noisy, yet a pump that is extraordinary loud or one that makes shrieking or other irregular sounds should be flagged for inspection by an authorized Albany, NY home inspector.
The Author Kevin Maxwell is the owner and operator of Maxwell Home Inspection Services, LLC. Kevin Maxwell is a certified Home Inspector located in Albany NY that has performed over 6000 Inspections.
Phone: 1-800-598-4754
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